Middle school. It’s a phase of life most of us try to repress far from our minds. Weird growth spurts that made us girls taller than most of the boys, well maybe not in my case. Clicks of catty girls who tattle on each other. Having “BFF’s”. Having some of the first crushes ever. Doodling on your hand his initials in hopes he might catch a glimpse and get the hint.
But some of the worst memories come from that age. Being shot down by the opposite sex for the first time. Not making the sports team. Being made fun of for being in the band because of the horrid outfits. Not making the cheerleading team. Crummy teachers who pick on you.
Trust me, I tried to forget a lot of my middle school years.
You see, I was a nerd. I know that might seem hard for you to believe but, it’s true. Very few people can witness to this.
I was a tomboy. My shorts had to go past my knee, shirts could not be form fitting WHAT so ever. Not to mention my obsession with wildlife. I was a passionate supporter of saving the whales and the wolves. The idea of flirting with boys never crossed my mind. I would rather beat them in a game of soccer.
But as 7th and 8th grade came around, something clicked. (Probably hormones) But my mom swears it was hear never ending prayer that God would let her daughter be feminine. But I suddenly became aware of the way I looked and boys.
My entire world revolved around the way my hair looked that day. I remember so many fights with my mom over what to wear to school. I started hanging out with more girls than boys, which only fed my clothing/hair obsession. I was a pendulum that swung to the complete opposite direction.
But I remember the moment God got a hold of me and my selfish ways.
It was at middle school camp that I felt the true presence of God. I don’t remember what the message was about, or what the devotionals where over. But I remember suddenly feeling the weight of my sin and crying out to God, then immediately feeling that carried away.
Many people make faces at me when I tell them that I help out with middle schoolers at the church. A lot of people think that middle schoolers are a waste of effort, because they will never “get it” spiritually. But because God got to me at that age, is why I passionately pursue to tell them about God. Because I know God can speak to people, no matter the age.
I recently lead at a Disciple Now, where groups of kids stay in a church members home and a leader teaches them. I did a brief lesson over having a quiet time with the Lord. I shared with them about what mine looks like and showed them how to journal prayers and what they learned.
They had never heard of the idea of reading their Bible, let alone journaling prayers. I was astonished. How had they never heard of this?!
I let them go in different areas of the house and simply let them have their own quiet time with the Lord.
When I asked them their favorite time of the entire weekend, you know what they said? It wasn’t the silly games we played, or the crazy fun things, it was the quiet times we had.
That is the reason I lead middle school. To teach them about their walk with the Lord, to point them to God when things get tough. Because girls know how other girls are at that age.
Because I want these girls to look back at their lives, and not repress their middle school memories. To look back and think, that was when I met God.
